The first GMO garden seed, 'The Purple Tomato'

[Soilsniffer]

Norfolk Healthy Produce out of Davis CA, is selling seeds ($20 for ten seeds) of the first and still only genetically modified garden seed.

A tomato injected with DNA from a snapdragon, resulted in this all-purple cherry tomato. Many tomato varieties have purple skin, this tomato is purple throughout. Supposed to have a lot of anthocyanin, which is healthy or something.

It's patented, so you can't legally sell plants or fruits that you grow yourself. Baker Creek tried though -- early covers of their 2024 seed catalog had a full-page photo of a 100% purple tomato, Baker Creek called it Purple Galaxy, and it's non GMO! Not so fast, Norfolk Healthy Produce said.

Norfolk: That's a pic of our Purple Tomato! Can we see your research showing that your 'Galaxy' is non-GMO?
Baker Creek: Ummm .... wellllaarrrummmm ....

Baker Creek is no longer selling Purple Galaxy anything. Duh.

Despite it's hefty pricetag, I think I'm going to get a packet. I remember 15 years ago how it was beat into everyone's head that GMOs are evil incarnate, is that still the prevailing wisdom?

[Mark_Thompson]

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[worth1]

Willy Wonka has the patent.

[Soilsniffer]

I appreciate the links, Mark. Strange that I didn't hear about the Purple Tomato til just last month, I thought it was news.

Most are giving Baker Creek, benefit of the doubt. I sure don't. I remember that Jere Gettle guy's rants over at Tville, and at Jere's old message board, called I Dig My Garden.

I don't believe at all that this was an innocent mistake. I don't think Jere is a good guy.

[Tormato]

I have plenty of seeds. PM me a mailing address.

[DriftlessRoots]

I want to try these but I have enough seeds to last me a decade!

[TerraCayda]

There are a handful of videos with harvests & taste test on YouTube, I think mainly by growers to mock this variety (who else would pay $2/seed?). Apparently the taste is mediocre, nothing like what Baker Creek claims. So no thank you all the way.

[DriftlessRoots]

There are a handful of videos with harvests & taste test on YouTube, I think mainly by growers to mock this variety (who else would pay $2/seed?). Apparently the taste is mediocre, nothing like what Baker Creek claims. So no thank you all the way.

Another good reason to hold off a while. Though if I were doing my own crosses I’d be crossing this with good tasing ones to try to get color and flavor.